The Richness of Friendships

 For the past couple of years, I have been drawn toward a more minimalist lifestyle. On the one hand, as a mom with three young daughters, I can feel my anxiety rising in tandem with the amount of clutter in my home. On the other hand, I adore shopping. Nevertheless, I’m trying to make slow changes toward buying less and living with intention and contentment.

As I move into my mid-thirties, I’m realizing more and more that the consumption of my twenties has evolved into a renewed focus on rich relationships. I would much rather fill our home with people, not stuff. Paul reminds us that true contentment is found when we choose not to focus on filling our homes and lives with possessions that are temporary and will ultimately leave us unsatisfied. After all, the possessions we treasure will end up as dust, yet loving others well can provide us with riches beyond measure.

This truth was brought home for me the day I witnessed my sister’s funeral. She died at age twenty-eight after a five-year battle with breast cancer, but her hope and faith throughout her cancer battle inspired many. Sitting at the front of the sanctuary on that cold November day, I was astonished to see people packed into the church, standing in the back and spilling into the hallways. Katrina had learned the value of rich friendships, and her legacy was there, standing on the carpeted floor of the church building.

My sister’s gracious and welcoming nature drew people in, and she and her husband entertained frequently. Her hospitality has encouraged even me, an introvert, to invest in authentic friendships. For that reason, we’ve had single moms and their kids stay in our house for months at a time. We’ve hosted weekly church small groups, thrown big Super Bowl parties, and had sprawling outdoor barbecues and smaller, intimate dinners. May we always seek to be content with what we have, and resolve to fill our homes with people, not stuff.

Today’s Act of Friendship: The next time you feel tempted to buy an unneeded product for your home, use the money to treat a friend to coffee or a meal.